News & Information

Free Gas/Ethanol Fire Safety Video

The Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition (EERC) is comprised of major organizations involved with alternative fuels, scientific testing, bulk fuel distribution and storage as well with first responders and key fire service organizations. The coalition was formed to look at emergency response issues associated with bulk distribution and storage of ethanol-blended fuels. The EERC have jointly produced a video documenting Ethanol Firefighting Foam test results. Click for more details on the test: http://www.dtnethanolcenter.com/index.cfm?show=10&mid=62

How to Handle a Broken Compact Fluorescent Bulb (CFL)

The main hazard with CFLs is the potential release of mercury in your home or office. EPA has developed guidelines on cleaning up a mercury spill from one of these lamps. For complete information, all links and also mercury thermometer spills ... go to: http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm

Free Machine Guarding Tool – “Gotcha Stick”

Based on OSHA data, Omron STI's free "Gotcha Stick" safe distance measurement tool provides a quick and easy way of testing and verifying that openings in any hard-guards will not allow the point-of-operation on a hazardous machine to be accessed by the operator. It includes both metric and English measurements, and its three-segment configuration makes it easy to carry. See http://www.sti.com/insurance to order and for more free machine guarding tools and safety videos.

Propane Tank Dangers

Methamphetamine cooks are buying propane tanks from the exchanges at Wal-Mart, Circle-K, Kroger, etc., and emptying them of the propane gas. Then they fill the propane tanks with anhydrous ammonia, which they now have a recipe to cook Methamphetamine. After they are finished with the propane tanks, they return them to the store. The stores refill the tanks with propane gas, unknowing to them the improper substance that was inserted in the tanks and sell them to their consumers. Anhydrous ammonia is very corrosive and weakens the structure of the tank. It can be very dangerous when mixed with propane gas and hooked up to a grill, recreation vehicle, etc.

You should inspect the propane tank for any blue or greenish residue around the valve areas. If there are evidences of these substances, do not purchase the propane tank and advise the vendor of your findings. Check out the following website for more details. The National Propane Gas Association also has pictures for you to view: http://www.npga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=529

Emergency Preparedness Videos in American Sign Language

The Anderson County (Texas) Medical Reserve Corps has two videos (which can be viewed on the site or downloaded) that can help the deaf develop an emergency preparedness kit and necessary supplies. http://www.andersoncountymrccom/asl.html

Handy Hurricane Season Web Sites

Here are a handful of hurricane preparedness tools:

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Golf Tournament

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will hold a golf tournament on July 26th in Celebration. Please see the attached flyer or contact ASSE Central Florida Member Scott Blaser for more information.

Free Arc Flash Seminars

Please see the attached invitations. Lewellyn Technologies, Inc. is co-hosting FREE Understanding NFPA 70E & Arc Flash Hazards seminars in July 2008. Their Founder/President, Daryn Lewellyn, will speak on several topics, including conducting an Arc Flash Analysis, and answer questions concerning 70E Compliance. This event is for decision makers and is by invitation only, so please, serious inquiries only. Please register to attend now by going online at: www.lewellyn.com/schedule.html.

Seminar Locations & Dates:

Orlando, FL - July 29, 2008
When: Tuesday July 29, 2008 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (Lunch will be served)
Where: University of Central Florida Student Resource Center Marketplace Cafeteria
4000 Central Florida Blvd. Orlando, FL 32816

Tampa, FL - July 30, 2008
When: Wednesday July 30, 2008 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (Lunch will be served)
Where: University of South Florida Bull's Den Dining Room Andros Building
USF Palm Drive (Near E. Fletcher Ave.) Tampa, FL 33620

Tallahassee, FL - July 31, 2008
When: Thursday July 31, 2008 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (Lunch will be served)
Where: Florida State University Student Services Building
97 Woodward Avenue South Tallahassee, FL 32306

Central Florida ASSE Yahoo Group

You asked, we answered!  Chapter members have asked for a forum to post questions, comments and other pertinent information.  Do you have a burning safety question and want feedback from your peers?  Want to post a training session for all members to see?  Have a comment about legislative affairs affecting the profession?  Want to share a great idea, photo or link? We now have a forum for you - the Central Florida ASSE Yahoo Group.  To subscribe, send a message to centralfloridaasse-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

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NIOSH Seeks Input on Direct Reading Exposure Assessment Methods (D.R.E.A.M.) Workshop

The 2008 NIOSH Dream Workshop will take place November 13 - 14, 2008, at the Hilton Crystal City in Washington, D.C. The workshop will convene subject matter experts, stakeholders and other interested parties from the public and private sectors to provide input into research needs. Input from the workshop will help develop research priorities for direct reading exposure assessment methods. The workshop will gather stakeholder input from academia, labor, management, developers, governmental agencies, and manufacturers on the research needs in the area of direct reading methods for assessing occupational exposures.

NIOSH is seeking input from our partners as we prepare for the workshop. The general session will include a group of plenary state-of-the-art presentations addressing direct reading exposure assessment methods for workplaces and will cover issues relevant to the broad range of employment sectors and occupational hazards, such as validation, data handling, and interpretation.

The workshop is a critical part of the NIOSH effort to improve the prevention of disease and injury to people who work through supporting research, promotion best practices and describing and communication of effective policies, and engaging in productive partnerships. The workshop promotes CDC's Health Places goal to promote and protect the health and safety of people who work by preventing workplace-related fatalities, illness, injuries and personal health risks. Registration is mandatory to attend this meeting, and that space is limited, so please register as soon as possible. For more information, see http://www.team-psa.com/dream2008/main.asp.

Study Links Veterinarians' Miscarriage Risk to Occupational Exposures

Pregnant veterinarians exposed to anesthetic gases, radiation or pesticides may double their risk of a miscarriage, according to an Australian study. British journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine published the report in April. As part of the study, researchers analyzed 940 pregnancies during a 40-year period. The researchers found the chance of miscarriage increased twofold in female veterinarians exposed to anesthetic gases and pesticides. Female veterinarians who conducted more than five radiographic examinations per week had an "elevated risk" of miscarriage compared with those who performed less than five, the study also found.

Similar U.S. studies found a link between veterinarian work and occupational exposures to have a "weak or insignificant association" to miscarriage, according to a report in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. However, Schaumburg, IL-based AVMA stressed that pregnant veterinary personnel should ensure they are taking protective measures to reduce occupational exposures.

Counterfeit Circuit Breakers Recalled By Specialty Lamp International Due to Fire Hazard

Name of Product: Counterfeit Circuit Breakers labeled as "Square D"
Units: About 371,000
Distributor: Specialty Lamp International Inc., of Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Hazard: The recalled circuit breakers labeled "Square D" have been determined by Square D to be counterfeit and can fail to trip when they are overloaded, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Description: The counterfeit circuit breakers are black and are labeled as Square D QO-series models 115, 120, 130, 215, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260 and 2020 and Square D QOB-series models 115, 120, 130, 220, 230, 250, 260 and 1515. Actual Square D circuit breakers have (a) the amp rating written on the handle in white paint on the front of the breaker (authentic Square D circuit breakers manufactured prior to 2003 did not have white paint on the amperage numbers); (b) the Square D insignia molded onto the breaker side, and; (c) a yellow chromate mounting clip with half of the top of the clip visible. If your breaker, labeled as Square D, does not match this description, it could be counterfeit.

Sold by: Electrical product distributors nationwide from May 2005 through June 2006 for between $3 and $23.

Remedy: Consumers should contact Specialty to determine if the breaker they have is counterfeit and to arrange for a free inspection and replacement or refund if necessary.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Specialty at (866) 650-3076 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, by email bart@specialty-lamp.com, or visit the company's Web site at www.ebulb.net. This is not a Square D Company recall.

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled (counterfeit) and genuine products, please go to: http://www.cpscgov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08286.html.

Report Examines Volunteer Firefighter Safety

A new government report seeks to curb the number of volunteer firefighter deaths by providing information on various programs and strategies. "Emerging Health and Safety Issues in the Volunteer Fire Service" was created by the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Volunteer Fire Council. It highlights the various occupational health and safety issues facing the volunteer firefighter community. For example, 50 percent of all volunteer firefighter deaths are due to heart attacks – 11 percent more than that of career firefighters, according to the report. The report recommends implementation of a health, wellness and safety initiative for volunteer firefighters that includes:

  • Interventions for lowering cholesterol and blood-pressure levels
  • Increasing physical activity
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Benchmarks that include measureable goals and objectives.

Now Available: Emergency Response Guidebook 2008

The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG2008) was developed jointly by the US Department of Transportation, Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico (SCT) for use by firefighters, police, and other emergency services personnel who may be the first to arrive at the scene of a transportation incident involving a hazardous material. It is primarily a guide to aid first responders in (1) quickly identifying the specific or generic classification of the material(s) involved in the incident, and (2) protecting themselves and the general public during this initial response phase of the incident. The ERG is updated every three to four years to accommodate new products and technology. The next version is scheduled for 2012. See http://hazmat.dot.gov/pubs/erg/guidebook.htm for more info.

NFPA Launches Electrical Safety Initiative

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) kicked off National Electrical Safety Month with the debut of a new electrical safety initiative. “Keeping Your Community Safe and Energized” is a collection of educational resource materials for area fire departments on electrical safety which includes an entertaining public service announcement (PSA) video. The PSA features newly created animated character Dan Doofus. “You could say that electricity practically runs our lives when you think of all the modern day necessities that need it, yet most people are unaware that electrical problems are factors in nearly 150 home fires each day,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of communications. “Electricity is a leading cause of home fires, but there are things that people can do to avoid these fires. The information in this toolkit can help individuals learn how to protect themselves and their property.”

According to NFPA’s newly released report on electrical fires, electrical failures or malfunctions result in an average of 53,600 home fires each year. These fires cause more than 500 deaths, injure 1,400 people and account for $1.4 billion in property damage. A copy of the resource toolkit in compact disc (CD) format was distributed to 30,000 fire departments nationwide and materials are available at no cost at NFPA’s Web site at www.nfpa.org/safeandenergized. Printable materials in the toolkit include: facts and figures on electrical fires, handouts, public service print ads, a 60-second PSA starring Dan Doofus that is suitable for all ages, and a variety of other communications tools. Click here for more information.

Hispanic Safety and Health Fair – November 1st

Building on the successful “Feria Familiar de Salud y Seguridad” (Hispanic Health and Safety Fair) held in Kissimmee, Homestead, and Hialeah by OSHA, DOL and USF in 2004 and 2005; this year the Home Builders Safety Alliance of Metro Orlando is offering the Hispanic Safety Fair, a free safety awareness fair for Hispanic workers and their families on November 1st, 2008. Sponsors and door prizes are needed. See http://hispanicsafetyfair.com/home.html for more info.

CPSC Promotes the Building of Safer Playgrounds to Help Reduce 200,000 Annual Injuries

Children and playgrounds go together like chocolate and milk. Drop by any playground this spring and summer and you are bound to find dozens of active kids swinging, sliding, climbing and having a good time.

Yet a good time on the community or school playground can be ruined by a fall, entrapment, cut or another type of injury. Each year, about 200,000 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries related to playground equipment.

During National Playground Safety Week (April 21-25), CPSC staff is releasing an update to the popular Handbook for Public Playground Safety, which contains guidance for childcare personnel, school officials, designers, inspectors, parents and school groups on building safer playgrounds. Considered by many to be the model handbook of playground safety, the agency's guidelines for public playgrounds have been incorporated by many municipalities into local and state building codes. The handbook provides specifications for creating safer play zones and avoiding hazards with equipment such as sharp points, entrapments, and entanglements.

The updated Handbook for Public Playground Safety contains new guidelines from CPSC staff for playground equipment for children as young as six months old, track and log rolls for older children, and playground surfacing, as well as suggestions on protecting children from sun exposure on playgrounds.

CPSC offers the following tips to help prevent injuries and other hazards on public and home playgrounds:

The Commission provides these important life-saving tips:

  • Always supervise children on play equipment to make sure they are safe.
  • Purchase playground equipment that meets the latest safety standards.
  • Maintain at least 9 inches of protective surfacing, including shredded/recycled rubber, wood chips, wood mulch (non-CCA treated), sand or pea gravel under and around playground equipment to cushion children from falls.
  • Check that protective surfacing extends at least 6 feet in alldirections from play equipment. For swings, extend protective surfacing in front and back of the swing, twice the height of the suspending bar.
  • Repair sharp points or edges on equipment. Replace missing hardware and close "S" hooks that can cause injuries.
  • Never attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, pet leashes or cords of any kind to play equipment due to the strangulation hazard.

To order free copies of the CPSC staff's updated Handbook for Public Playground Safety (CPSC-325), CPSC's Outdoor Home Playground Handbook (CPSC-324), Home Playground Safety Checklist (CPSC-323), or any CPSC publication, email us at info@cpsc.gov. CPSC publications can also be downloaded at www.cpsc.gov You can find more information about National Playground Safety Week at www.playgroundsafety.org the Web site for the National Program for Playground Safety.

Central Florida Chapter Children Enter NAOSH '08 "Safety-on-the-Job" Poster Contest

Several children of Central Florida Chapter members participated in this year's NAOSH "Safety-on-the-Job" Poster Contest, sponsored by the American Society of Safety Engineers. Member Todd Beach sponsored almost a dozen entries from his daughter Mackenzie’s school. Though we didn’t have a first place winner this year – all of our kids’ entries are winners in our eyes! They certainly all learned about safety while drawing their posters and their posters are now teaching safety lessons to others!

Carina Burton, 8 Celia Andreo, 12 Darby Goodwin, 7
Delaney Dugger, 8 Hanz Ago, 8 Keaton Fuller, 11
Mackenzie Beach, 8 Nicolas Accion, 7 Sonja Colby, 8

The contest is broken down into five age groups -- 1) ages 5-6; 2) ages 7-8; 3) ages 9-10; 4) ages 11-12; and 5) ages 13-14. The first place winner in each age group receives a $1,000 savings bond, the second place winner receives a $500 savings bond and the third and fourth place winners receive a $200 savings bond. All entrants will receive a prize and are invited to attend the ASSE poster contest awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., at the U.S. Capitol Monday, May 5, 2008. The Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA along with the ASSE President and a representative from the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) will introduce the poster contest winners at the ceremony prior to the ASSE U.S. Capitol awards event.

The list of winners and their posters are available at ASSE's NAOSH '08 website.

Certified Safety Professional Exams to Change in 2009

Two examinations that are part of the Certified Safety Professional credentialing process have been updated and will be put into use in 2009. The tests, "Safety Fundamentals" and "Comprehensive Practice," have been updated to better reflect today's required skills and practices, according to the Savoy, IL-based Board of Certified Safety Professionals. Future CSP candidates and those currently enrolled who purchase the tests after Jan. 1 will be subject to the updated versions. BCSP Examination Director Steven Schoolcraft said the updates should not result in significant changes to how candidates study for the exams.

OSHA and The Business Case For Safety

OSHA has posted a new powerpoint presentation website this week. The presentation highlights safety as a business priority as opposed to safety for the purpose of OSHA compliance and is the result of an OSHA Alliance. Click here for the presentation.

2006 Farm and Ranch Safety Survey Released

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture released findings from a first-of-its-kind survey conducted for NIOSH. The 2006 Farm and Ranch Safety Survey provides national estimates of safety hazards, controls, and the use of selective personal protective equipment on U.S. farms and ranches. Previously unavailable statistics include these: 59 percent of an estimated 4.2 million tractors have rollover protective structures, an essential safety feature. About 60 percent of an estimated 57,000 manure pits were covered with grates, concreted lids, or other type of guarding. Findings from this survey, which NIOSH plans on repeating periodically, can be used to inform injury and health prevention activities. Contact John Myers at JMyers@cdc.gov in the NIOSH Division of Safety Research for more details.

Driveway Danger

More and more kids are killed each year because drivers don't see them while backing up and a nonprofit vehicle safety agency Kids and Cars says such deaths are up 57 percent from 2002 to 2003. Kids and Cars reports:

  • Backup incidents caused death in 392 of 561 documented incidents.
  • An injury or death occurred in 99 percent of cases documented in the Kids and Cars database.
  • The predominant age of victims were kids aged 12-23 months.
  • More than 60 percent of backing up incidents involved a larger size vehicle such as a truck, van or sports utility vehicle (SUV).

Parents or close relatives were behind the wheel in more than 70 percent of the incidents. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey reported that among more than 2,400 children treated in emergency rooms every year due a child being struck by or rolled over by a vehicle moving in reverse, half of them were 1 to 4 years old.

To help prevent such tragic incidents, you can perform a very easy, short check each day before you get into your car. It is called the 360 degree walk around circle for safety, and it is outlined in the attachment.

Africanized Honey Bees (AHB) Emergency Response Training

The presence of Africanized honey bees (AHB) in at least eight U.S. states has challenged Emergency Services Sector (ESS) organizations in some jurisdictions to create training materials and institute response plans to protect personnel, the foremost of ESS critical infrastructures. Considering this development, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) includes in this article links to training materials meant to help ESS departments and agencies prepare for this menace.

Africanized honey bees (also known as "killer bees") are hybrids of the African honey bee with various European honey bees. As of 2002, they began their spread from Brazil, eventually arriving in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, Southwest Arkansas, New Orleans, California, and Oklahoma. They have been seen as far as Kansas City, Missouri, although they are more commonly found farther to the south. The Africanized bees are more likely than European bees to attack a perceived threat and attack relentlessly in larger numbers, e.g., 50,000 Africanized bees versus 200 European bees might attack if their hive is upset. The venom of Africanized honey bees is no more potent than that of European honey bees, but the vastly greater number of stings causes more deaths.

After responding to a number of attacks by AHBs, members of the Kissimmee Fire Department in Osceola County, Florida, were issued hoods or "sting shields" to wear with their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The bees, which are attracted to carbon dioxide, were lighting on responders' faces and crawling under their helmets. Personnel also learned that lights and sirens on apparatus and vehicles can attract the bees, so they turn them off as they near an incident scene. If it is necessary to perform a rescue, victims are sprayed with Class A foam to suffocate the bees because the application of water alone causes the bees to relocate only momentarily.

Working with Dr. William Kern of the University of Florida, the Osceola County Emergency Services Department created AHB awareness and emergency response PowerPoint presentations and an AHB Standard Operating Guideline (SOG). To assist ESS personnel across the country, the department agreed to share these training materials as well as an mpeg (movie file) of a stinging AHB and stinging European honey bee. The training materials can be accessed at:

Lt. David Langston of the Osceola County Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services Training Branch, who assisted in developing the training materials, can be contacted at dlan3@osceola.org. The EMR-ISAC also appreciates the input of Lt. Joan Robinson, EMS Coordinator, Kissimmee Fire Department.

OSHA Reminds Employers & Employees About the Safe Use of Quick Coupling Devices

OSHA's Chicago Region, the Chicagoland Construction Safety Council, and the Underground Contractors Association (a participant in OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program), have joined forces to remind employers and employees about the hazards of using quick coupling devices and possible solutions to avoiding those hazards. Quick couplers allow operators of hydraulic excavators to change buckets or other attachments without leaving the excavator's cab. Unfortunately, the unexpected release of excavator buckets from quick coupling devices has resulted in injuries and deaths. OSHA's Safety and Health Information Bulletin entitled Hazards of Inadequately Securing Hydraulic Excavator Buckets When Using Quick Coupling Devices outlines specific methods for employers and employees to address the hazards and prevent further accidents.

New Goal for Clearing Car Crashes

Emergency responders across the nation have come together in an effort to improve the safety and speed of clearing vehicle crashes from roadways. Nineteen organizations – including the International Association of Fire Fighters, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Towing and Recovery Association of America – announced the launch of the National Unified Goal for Traffic Incident Management. The goal is focused on improving communication and coordination at crash scenes in order to quickly clear the roadway. The organizations involved also are asking motorists to slow down and move over when approaching crash sites to help prevent injuries to first responders.

"Vehicle-related incidents account for roughly 20 percent of firefighter deaths. A growing number of those deaths are firefighters who are struck at the scene while helping others," International Association of Fire Chiefs Executive Director Mark Light said. "It is a problem we share with all roadside responders, and together we need to work toward a solution." The goal was developed by the National Traffic Incident Management Coalition, which is facilitated by the Washington-based American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

National Fire Academy Command and Control Online Course

The U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA) is pleased to announce the release of its newest online course, Command & Control Decision Making at Multiple Alarm Incidents Self Study (Q297). In early 2007, efforts began to redesign several of the NFA’s resident courses using a blended learning format, whereby a portion of the newly revised course is available online. One of the first courses available under this new format is the Command & Control Decision Making at Multi-Alarm Incidents (R297) course. This new self study course is the precourse assignment for the residential R297 course; however, anyone interested can enroll in the course. “We are pleased to make this course available not only to the fire and emergency services, but to the general public as well,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. “This particular course serves to broaden the student’s knowledge and understanding of the use and significance of the Incident Command System.” This course and additional online courses are available through the NFA’s online training site, NFA Online at www.nfaonline.dhs.gov. Students who successfully complete the courses have instant access to their NFA certificate of completion and transcript. Additional information on the USFA and the NFA is available at www.usfa.dhs.gov.

BLS Releases 2006 Workplace Illness and Injury Data

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the U.S. Department of Labor has released its 2006 Workplace Illness and Injury Data. Nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses among private industry employers in 2006 occurred at a rate of 4.4 cases per 100 full-time workers—a decline from 4.6 cases in 2005. Similarly, the number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses reported in 2006 declined to 4.1 million cases, compared to 4.2 million cases in 2005. Read the entire news release, with data and graphs broken down by industry here: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/osh.pdf.

NIOSH Offers High School Curriculum in Workplace

According to NIOSH, working teens, 16- to 19-years old, are injured or killed on the job in disproportionately high numbers. As a rule, they receive little or no formal safety education and training, either in school or on the job. To fill this gap, NIOSH offers a new high school curriculum, "Youth@Work: Talking Safety," designed especially for young workers.

The curriculum is available to schools at no charge from NIOSH. Materials include a course booklet, a PowerPoint teaching presentation and overheads for teachers, student handouts, and an informational video. The curriculum is customized for each state and Puerto Rico to reflect state-specific rules and regulations for preventing work-related injuries among young workers. Materials can be downloaded from the NIOSH web page at www.cdc.gov/niosh/talkingsafety/. For all of the references and more information go to: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-10-15-07.html.

NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace Guides For Sale!

At the October meeting (Topic: Arc Flash Protection), several members expressed interest in purchasing the NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (2004 Edition) guides through our chapter. The chapter has purchased 12 of these guides and they are now available to chapter members for $45. To order one, please contact Jami Phillips, come to the November meeting, or use our Paypal link to order and pay for the book.

Pay Online with Paypal!

Contact Information

If you are an ASSE member and you are not receiving regular e-mails from the Central Florida Chapter, your e-mail address may not be updated with ASSE Society Headquarters. We keep in contact with you via the chapter rosters on file with Society Headquarters. Please check your info and update it by following these steps:

  1. Go to www.asse.org.
  2. Click on “address changes” on the left side of the home page.
  3. Log in with your member ID and password. Your password is typically your last name, unless you’ve changed it.
  4. A change of address request form will pop up.
  5. Check your info and update as needed.
  6. Click the "submit" button at the bottom of the page.

Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS) Certification To Benefit Central Florida Chapter

The United Safety Council is pleased to share a benefit with our chapter. For each ASSE member who enrolls in the COSS, a check for $50 will be presented to the Central Florida Chapter. In addition, CEU's are available for those taking the COSS course. For more information on COSS certification, see http://www.unitedsafetycouncil.com/coss.asp.

Free Design for Safety Course

ASSE member John Mrozczyk has been leading ASSE's involvement with OSHA's Design for Safety Workgroup, a very positive outcome of ASSE's Alliance with OSHA. With John’s leadership, the workgroup created a free 2-4 hour course developed that is now available on ASSE’s website. This could be a great idea for a chapter meeting, John has suggested. You can find the course at (DfCS) 2 to 4 Hour Course (pdf) on ASSE’s government affairs page, and more information about OSHA’s efforts in this area at Design for Construction Safety Website. Below is OSHA’s information on the project. Thanks to John for his generous leadership on this issue.

John is also helping shape NIOSH’s by-invitation Prevention Through Design (PtD) Workshop NIOSH will hold July 9-11, 2007 in Washington, DC. Supporting the Workshop are ASSE, the National Safety Council, ORC Worldwide, and OSHA are NIOSH. The PtD Workshop marks the launch of NIOSH’s PtD National Initiative. Click here for more information.

OSHA’s New Compliance Assistance Specialist Directory

OSHA has enhanced its Compliance Assistance Specialist (CAS) Directory on the Compliance Assistance public page. The CAS Directory now automatically displays CAS contact information after users select their state and local office from drop-down menus. Users that select a state plan state are notified that they have selected a state plan state and a link is provided to information about that state’s occupational safety and health program and agency.

CAS can provide general information about OSHA standards and compliance assistance resources. They respond to requests for help from a variety of groups, including small businesses, trade associations, union locals, and community and faith-based groups. There is one Compliance Assistance Specialist in each OSHA Area Office in states under federal jurisdiction. They are available for seminars, workshops, and speaking events. They promote cooperative programs, such as Consultation Programs, the Voluntary Protection Programs, the Strategic Partnerships Program, and the Alliance Program. They also promote OSHA's training resources and the tools available on the OSHA web site.

Chlorine Institute Releases a FREE Chlorine Emergencies Training DVD

The Chlorine Institute (CI) is pleased to announce the completion and availability of a new training DVD for first responders. The Institute undertook this project after identifying a need to improve awareness and preparation for the initial response to a chlorine emergency. This project is directly aligned with the Institute's core mission of promoting chlorine safety. We expect this material to be a valuable resource in helping first responders prepare for the initial response to any chemical emergency, in particular one in which chlorine might be involved. The material presented in the DVD was assembled primarily by a CI Task Group made up of a wide cross section of member companies representing producers, packagers, emergency responders and users of chlorine. The material is organized on an easily navigable DVD which includes a main segment of approximately 20 minutes which covers the basics of the response in that critical first 15 minutes. There are 10 tabs which cover topics including chlorine properties, mitigation and health effects in greater detail. Special thanks to Reno, NV First Responder Aaron Crownover, who narrates the material and James Flenner, Ph.D., of the Reno, NV Fire Department Hazmat Team who provided extensive on camera interviews. The participation of these individuals with real world experience in responding to emergencies makes this a more effective training tool.

To request Hard Copies of the DVD directly from CI at no cost to the end user please email your complete contact information, purpose of use, and number of copies requested. Send an email to: aonna@CL2.com or click Here for more info http://tinyurl.com/ynoj7z.

ANSI/ASSE Z359 Fall Arrest Code Receives Final Approval

Many ASSE members have inquired about the status of the ANSI/ASSE Z359 Fall Arrest/Protection standards. The United States has not seen a revised or new general industry national consensus standard on fall arrest/protection since the publication of ANSI/ASSE Z359.1-1992 (R1999), but on April 23, 2007, the Z359.2 standard for managed fall protection received final ANSI approval. ASSE is now also pleased to announce that the Z359.0, Z359.1, Z359.3 and Z359.4 standards received final ANSI approval on May 31, 2007. These standards will be available soon and will have an effective date of October 15, 2007.

Impact on Public & Private Sectors

Many members have asked how the standards will impact the public and private sectors. Use of national consensus standards in the United States will be of increased importance as the nation's economy becomes more global. National consensus standards reflect the insights of the final end users and the opinions of professionals who work at all levels of public and private sectors in technology development, safety and health, manufacturing, training, financial analysis, personnel and academia. This balanced perspective enables standards to be crafted in a manner that benefits and protects standard users.

ASSE historically supports the increased use of national consensus standards in the formulation of occupational safety and health legislation. Government agencies such as OSHA, MSHA, CPSC and NHTSA should be encouraged to use these standards in accordance with Public Law 104-113, "The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995," and the Office of Management and Budget in its Circular A-119, "Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities," as they provide an efficient and effective alternative to traditional public sector rulemaking.

Background

Before ANSI approves an American National Standard, it must verify that the standards developer has met the requirements for due process and consensus. In the judgment of the ANSI Board of Standards Review, consensus is established when directly and materially affected interests reach substantial agreement, which means more than a simple majority but not necessarily unanimity. Consensus also requires that all views and objections be considered and that a concerted effort be made toward their resolution.

Use of American National Standards is completely voluntary. Their existence does not in any respect preclude anyone, whether s/he has approved the standards or not, from manufacturing, marketing, purchasing or using products, processes or procedures not in conformance to the standards.

It should also be noted that ANSI does not develop standards and will under no circumstances give an interpretation of any American National Standard.

The ANSI/ASSE Z359 Fall Arrest/Protection standards evolved from the continuing development of a fall protection standard series. These standards tie the elements of the series together and provide tools that employers may use to develop programs that incorporate such elements. They also address administrative requirements and apply to all occupational and non-occupational activities except those in SIC Division C (construction). They do not apply to sports activities.

Neither the Z359 Committee nor the Secretariat states that these standards are perfect or in their ultimate form. New developments are to be expected, and revision of the standards will be necessary as state-of-the-art technology progresses and further experience is gained. However, it is felt that uniform guidelines for fall protection programs are needed and that the standards in their present form provide the minimum criteria necessary to develop and implement a comprehensive managed fall protection program.

The Z359 Committee acknowledges the critical role of design in influencing the use of proper fall protection equipment. Design deficiencies often increase the risk for employees who may be exposed to fall hazards. Examples include:

  1. Lack of rail systems to prevent falls from machines, equipment and structures.

  2. Failure to provide engineered anchorages where use of personal fall arrest systems is anticipated.

  3. No provision for safe access to elevated work areas.

  4. Installation of machines or equipment at heights rather than at floor/ground level to preclude access to elevated areas.

  5. Failure to plan for the use of travel restriction or work positioning devices.

The standards also offer guidance on design considerations for new buildings and facilities.

The standards incorporate basic fall safety principles, including hazard survey, hazard elimination and control and education and training. They primarily intend to ensure a proactive approach to fall protection. However, they also address the reactive process of accident investigation to ensure that fall causation receives adequate attention.

Descriptions of Newly Approved Standards

Standards approved as of May 31, 2007 are as follows:

ANSI/ASSE Z359.0-2007: Definitions and Nomenclature Used for Fall Protection and Fall Arrest Establishes the definitions and nomenclature used for the Z359 Fall Arrest Code.

ANSI/ASSE Z359.1-2007: Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems and Components Establishes requirements for the performance, design, marking, qualification, instruction, training, inspection, use, maintenance and removal from service of connectors, full-body harnesses, lanyards, energy absorbers, anchorage connectors, fall arresters, vertical lifelines and self-retracting lanyards comprising personal fall arrest systems for users within the capacity range of 130 to 310 pounds (59 to 140 kg).

ANSI/ASSE Z359.2-2007: Minimum Requirements for a Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Program Establishes guidelines and requirements for an employer's managed fall protection program, including policies, duties and training, fall protection procedures, eliminating and controlling fall hazards, rescue procedures, incident investigations and evaluating program effectiveness.

ANSI/ASSE Z359.3-2007: Safety Requirements for Positioning and Travel Restraint Systems Establishes requirements for the performance, design, marking, qualification, test methods and instructions of lanyards and harnesses comprising personal positioning and travel restraint systems for authorized persons within the capacity range of 130 pounds to 310 pounds (59kg to 140kg).

ANSI/ASSE Z359.4-2007: Safety Requirements for Assisted-Rescue and Self-Rescue Systems, Subsystems and Components Establishes requirements for the performance, design, marking, qualification, instruction, training, use, maintenance and removal from service of connectors, harnesses, lanyards, anchorage connectors, winches/hoists, descent control devices, rope tackle blocks and self-retracting lanyards with integral rescue capability comprising rescue systems used in preplanned self-rescue and assisted-rescue applications for 1-2 persons.